First Steps to Solving Computer Problems on Your Own

Computers are not 2 headed monsters ready to throw you out of your chair. Computers do not "think" or are intelligent enough to be "stupid". All they do is follow your commands or the ones from the program you are running. When an error occurs, you may find the right solution by following certain steps and quickly solve the annoying problem...money and hassle free, without having to call the "computer guy" next door.

There are 2 basic types of problems you will encounter: software or hardware. Remember, a computer only does what it is told to do. If you encounter a simple error message while playing a video, or writing a document (like what I am doing now) or when browsing the web, chances are the software you are running is what caused the error. No need to hit the alarm button. In most cases the issue will not come back and all it takes to be back to normal is a restart of the crashed application that was running. Remember to save often, specially documents, so the annoying crashes do not waste your work and your time.

A quick solution would be to update the program the crashed or that is acting up. Software vendors and developers(guys who made the software for you to use) are always issuing updates to the programs you use as they become aware of bugs and crashes. A quick update to the software in question more often than not, will take care of the problem you just witnessed and sometimes adds to the functionality of the product. Keep all of your software up to date. Either do it manually and go under options or about (find it in your program's menu) and turn on it's auto update engine.

Another good tip is to start using software utilities that optimize your system and therefore all of the running programs. Just be really careful and make sure the utility you will use is from a trusted source. In other words, a trusted source means that the utility you got comes from someone who has used it before you or there was research involved in the process of obtaining it, like independent reviews (consumer reports, PCWorld, etc) or search engines ratings. It doesn't hurt to ask for free advice from a technical inclined person or friend either. All this careful procedure is due to the fact that sometimes utilities can turn out to be Spyware or viruses themselves, or even advertising "bots" retrieving your personal info and sending it to unauthorized hackers. CCleaner is one utility I suggest and use very often. There are many out there. Just make sure you diligently do your work before getting them.

The next step in troubleshooting an error is to notice if it takes the entire screen (e.g. blue screens) or if it affects your entire operating system (windows, MAC O.S., etc) and your only option to turn off your machine and restart it. This being the case, things might have become a little more serious. In that event make sure you write down anything you can that happened before the crash and the messages that appeared on your monitor. What you can do is, after a restart, to browse the web with Google using the error message you took note from or a description of what you were doing before the sudden stop. Just enter it in the search field and chances are someone stumbled upon the same issue before.

There are usually thousands of search forums, computer experts advice and FAQ(frequently asked questions) that are freely available for you to consult. Again, it takes a little work and try not to give it up within the first 30 seconds. A little perseverance will be rewarded with a quick fix. Trying looking for the shortest, easiest fixes first. If you tried 5 or 6 of them and your problem is still occurring periodically, you may need a computer buddy to visit you. In case you or your friend made matters worse, it is time to call the professionals. There are always the chance you may have a virus and those are hard to deal with.

The second type of problems that computers often manifest is hardware related. Symptoms associated with hardware issues usually noticeable when a system does not turn on at all or makes a beeping sound before or during operation. Before I go on, make sure the power cable in plugged in to the wall...same with the internet cable. This is one of most basic things to check. Keyboards and mice acting up are also signs of hardware woes. Those issues might be easier to troubleshoot. Verify your power supply (power cable is plugged in to it on the back of the case) is running or that the fan is on. Then, try to open the case carefully(consult your manual) and check if you hear noises and where they are coming from. Hard drives failures usually are audible as well. The "clicking" sound of "death" is well documented in the computer world. Again, with a little effort you can probably get a deal from a tech person for finding out the problem for him/her and may just have to pay for a replacement or install, at the most.

After trying all these solutions and you still cannot figure out the problem although the problem persists, it is easy and affordable to look for help. At this point that is the right decision to make since nobody wants turn a small problem into a big one that has an irreversible end (which happens in some cases). Try a reputable local technical shop or small consulting firm(if you are a small business). It is the safest and most reliable way to get your PC/MAC fixed. Big retailers or franchises do not perform good practices and often overcharge their customers for poor service using scare tactics and leaving unfinished work. There are cases where these big stores might also take possession of your data without your consent.

Now you know that computers are actually easy to understand machines. All it takes is a few simple steps or a little extra time or effort to quickly diagnose problems and find the right fixes. Yelling or hitting the keyboard, blaming your best friend or family member will not solve anything, not even the smallest computer burp. Like my dear friend once told me, it just takes a few seconds of willingness to be patient and be brave enough to quickly find an easy fix. Remember how much money you will save and also how much you will learn on your own during the process. Who knows, eventually you will help somebody else by pointing them to the right direction. Finally, never forget to make backups of important stuff(pictures, documents) and take note of every error you see every time they appear. Good luck!